INDIANAPOLIS – At 3 a.m. Thursday, Indiana Pacers coach Nate McMillan was wide awake, watching videotape of the Cleveland Cavaliers, looking for clues on how to beat them. Just like his team, McMillan is restless, driven, not satisfied.

The Pacers’ season is a nice story, but it lacks an ending. Winning 48 games during the regular season far exceeded expectations, but now what? Does it end against the Cavaliers? Or will the Pacers do what no team has ever done – defeat a LeBron James team in the first round?

That is the challenge keeping McMillan awake at night, as the Pacers begin a best-of-seven series Sunday afternoon (3:30 p.m.) in Cleveland. The Pacers had few believers when the season began, but always believed in themselves. They will take that same belief to Cleveland, totally comfortable in their role as underdogs.

“We still don’t get enough respect,” said Pacers forward Thaddeus Young. “We got 48 wins, and they only projected us to win 30 games. The respect should be given there.

“This is a brand new season. I think we’re mentally prepared, and we’re physically prepared. A lot of people have not given us the respect that we deserve. We won those games as a team. We won those games as a family. We just got to go out there and play, go into each and every game with a chip on our shoulder.”

That chip, however, will only take the Pacers so far. To beat Cleveland, as they did in three of four meetings during the regular season, the Pacers will need to play exceptional basketball, and it begins with their most exceptional player, Victor Oladipo.

Having already lifted his game to All-Star level, Oladipo now faces the next challenge – leading a team in the playoffs. Oladipo’s only previous NBA playoff experience came last season, with Oklahoma City, and the Thunder was dismissed in five games by the Houston Rockets.

Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo (4) lays in a shot over Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) in the second half of their game Tuesday, March 7, 2018, at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Matt_Kryger/IndyStar, Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Former Indiana Hoosiers player and Indiana Pacer Victor Oladipo is honored with a jersey before the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Ind., on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2018. (Michael Hickey for The Star) Michael_Hickey/ for IndyStar

Victor Oladipo (left), puts up a shot as he is defended by Julius Randle of the Los Angeles Lakers at Indiana Pacers, Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Monday, March 19, 2018. Indiana won 110-100. Robert_Scheer/Indy_Star

Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo (4) celebrates a turnover and basket against the LA Clippers in the second half of their game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Friday, March 23, 2018. The Indiana Pacers defeated the LA Clippers 109-104. Matt_Kryger/Indy_Star

Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo (4) puts a move on Golden State Warriors guard Quinn Cook (4) in the first half of their game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Thursday, April 5, 2018. Matt_Kryger/Indy_Star

Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo (4) celebrates hitting a three-point shot in the second half of their game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse Tuesday, December 18, 2017. The Boston Celtics defeated the Indiana Pacers 112-111. Matt_Kryger/Indy_Star

Purdue's E'Twan Moore,left, keeps the ball away from Indiana's Victor Oladipo,right, in the second half of their game Tuesday evening at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette. The Boilers defeated the Hoosiers 67-53. Matt Kryger / The Star Matt Kryger

Victor Oladipo and Yogi Ferrell were teammates at Indiana University. Although they took different paths to the pros, both are now playing in the NBA. Oladipo is starting for the Pacers, while Ferrell comes off the bench for the Dallas Mavericks.
Rob Goebel/IndyStar
Victor Oladipo and Yogi Ferrell are spotlighted during player introductions. The Indiana Hoosiers hosted the Ball State Cardinals in basketball at Assembly Hall Sunday November 25, 2012. IU won 101 to 53. Rob Goebel/The Star. Rob Goebel, Rob Goebel, Indianapolis Star

Pacers Paul George drives between Orlando's Victor Oladipo,right, and E'Twaun Moore,left, in the first half.
Indiana Pacers play the Orlando Magic in their season opening game Tuesday, October 29, 2013, evening at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Matt Kryger / The Star Matt Kryger / The Star

Orlando's Victor Oladipo drives around the Pacers Lance Stephenson.
Indiana Pacers play the Orlando Magic in their season opening game Tuesday, October 29, 2013, evening at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Matt Kryger / The Star Matt Kryger / The Star

Victor Oladipo jumps to save this ball for Indiana during the second half, Orlando Magic at Indiana Pacers, Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Monday, Nov. 27, 2017. Indiana won 121-109. Robert Scheer/IndyStar

Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo (4) drives by Oklahoma City Thunder forward Paul George (13) in the first half of their game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse Wednesday, Dec 13, 2017. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Indiana Pacers point guard Victor Oladipo tosses a football on the field at Lucas Oil Stadium before the Indianapolis Colts face off against the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017. Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar

Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo (4) is fouled as he shoots around Boston Celtics center Aron Baynes (46) in the second half of their game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse Tuesday, December 18, 2017. The Boston Celtics defeated the Indiana Pacers 112-111. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo (4) is fouled as he shoots around Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) in the second half of their game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse Tuesday, December 18, 2017. The Boston Celtics defeated the Indiana Pacers 112-111. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo (4) taps his heart, looking toward the crowd that chanted "MVP" several times through the game, before shooting foul shots as the Indiana Pacers clinch the win over the Brooklyn Nets in overtime at Banker's Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Saturday, Dec. 23, 2017. The Pacers won, 123-119. Jenna Watson/IndyStar

Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo (4) holds up peace signs toward the crowd that chanted "MVP" several times through the game, after the Pacers' win over the Brooklyn Nets in overtime at Banker's Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Saturday, Dec. 23, 2017. The Pacers won, 123-119. Jenna Watson/IndyStar

Former Indiana University basketball standout Victor Oladipo signs an autograph for patient Cynthia Yeoman of Lafayette after donating $15,000 to breast cancer research at the Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center on Monday, March 9, 2015. Oladipo, now a guard with the Orlando Magic, donated a share of his winnings from the recent Dunk Cancer social media fundraiser as part of the 2015 NBA All-Star Weekend.
Matt Detrich/The Star

Paul George of Indiana, is defended by Victor Oladipo, second half, Oklahoma City Thunder at Indiana Pacers, Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Monday, February 6, 2017. Indiana won 93-90. Robert Scheer/IndyStar

Indiana's Victor Oladipo dunks over Purdue's D.J. Byrd,left, in the second half of their game Tuesday evening at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette. The Boilers defeated the Hoosiers 67-53. Matt Kryger / The Star
<b>02/09/2011 - C01 - MAIN - 2ND - THE INDIANAPOLIS STAR</b><br />Victor Oladipo finishes a dunk as Purdue's D.J. Byrd watches. The Boilermakers posted their fourth victory in a row in the series against their archrivals Tuesday night at Mackey Arena. Matt Kryger

Indiana's head coach Tom Crean talks with Victor Oladipo,left, in the second half of their game Sunday afternoon at Assembly Hall in Bloomington, The Hoosiers defeated the Purple Aces 67-54. Matt Kryger / The Star Matt Kryger

Former Indiana Basketball standout Victor Oladipo waves to the IU faithful prior to their game against the Pacers.
Indiana Pacers play the Orlando Magic in their season opening game Tuesday, October 29, 2013, evening at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Matt Kryger / The Star Matt Kryger / The Star

Indiana's Victor Oladipo is fouled by Iowa's Devon Archie,left, as Eric May,rear, tries to block his shot in the first half of their game Saturday, February 5, 2011, afternoon at Assembly Hall in Bloomington. The Hoosiers lost to the Hawkeyes 64-63. Matt Kryger / The Star
<b>03/10/2011 - D08 - MAIN - 2ND - THE INDIANAPOLIS STAR</b><br />Indiana's Victor Oladipo (4) drives to the basket around Iowa's Devon Archie (left) and Eric May last month. The 6-5 freshman has averaged 7.4 points per game this season. Matt Kryger

Indiana's Victor Oladipo dunks on the Ohio State defense in the first half of their game Sunday afternoon at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus OH. Matt Kryger / The Star Matt Kryger, Indianapolis Star

Indiana's Victor Oladipo dunks on the Ohio State defense in the first half of their game Sunday afternoon at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus OH. Matt Kryger / The Star Matt Kryger, Indianapolis Star

Indiana's Victor Oladipo is fouled as he puts up a shot onTemple's Anthony Lee,#3, in the second half of their game Sunday afternoon in the third round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at the University of Dayton Arena in Dayton OH. The Hoosiers defeated the Temple Owls 58-52. Matt Kryger / The Star Matt Kryger, Indianapolis Star

Paul George of Indiana, is defended by Victor Oladipo, second half, Oklahoma City Thunder at Indiana Pacers, Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Monday, February 6, 2017. Indiana won 93-90. Robert_Scheer_IndyStar

But unlike Oklahoma City, where Russell Westbrook is the closer, Oladipo is now the closer with the Pacers, the person who will be looked upon to make winning plays in key situations. Really, what chance do the Pacers have if Oladipo does not play well?

If the regular season is any indication, Oladipo is more than ready for this. Isiah Thomas, a Hall of Famer and former star point guard at Indiana, remembered a conversation he had with Oladipo at the 2016 All-Star game in Toronto. At the time, Oladipo was struggling with the Orlando Magic, still trying to find his niche in the NBA. Even then, according to Thomas, Oladipo had an unshakeable belief that he would become the player he wanted to be.

“He was kind of at his lowest point, in terms of what he felt he could be as a player, and what we all knew he could be as a player,’’ said Thomas, now an analyst for NBA TV. “What I said to him then, is what I’ll say to him now. Keep your confidence. You know exactly who you are.

“The difference between a bad player and a good player, at this level, is two things. How much work you’re willing to put into your game. And how much confidence you’re able to maintain. Victor is confident in his game. Why? Because, he put the time into his game. He’s put the time into his body. The confidence that he’s played with this year shows all of that. It ain’t going to change.”

Oladipo already had a pre-game demeanor on Thursday. Asked about beating the Cavaliers three times during the regular season, Oladipo cut off his questioner before the question was finished.

“That don’t matter,” said Oladipo. “It’s in the past. The past is the past for a reason. It’s a totally new team, we’re a new team. It’s going to be a very interesting series. We’re looking forward to the challenge, the competition.”

The biggest challenge will be to keep James from dominating. James has never lost a first-round series, a perfect 12-0 in first rounds during his career. James enters this series having won 21 straight first-round games. Think about that. Last season he led the Cavaliers to a first round sweep over the Pacers, raising his career record during the first round to 48-7.

Over the past month, James has played some of the best basketball of his career, and whether the Pacers can do anything about that remains to be seen. McMillan said that Bojan Bogdanovic would start Game 1 defending James, and that Lance Stephenson and likely Young would also take turns defending James, while getting plenty of help from teammates.

But the better James plays, the harder Cleveland will be to defeat. Young said he would focus on keeping his body between James and the basket, because once James had a clear driving lane, keeping him from scoring was nearly impossible.

“The way he’s played the last 10 or 15 games is crazy,” said Young. “It’s tough to stop a train. It’s tough to stop a tank when it’s going in a straight line.”

James also impacts games defensively, particularly at key moments. In the final six minutes of games, McMillan would not be surprised if James takes it upon himself to defend Oladipo.

“He knows that Victor’s a big part of our success,” said McMillan. “He (James) moves himself around to everybody. Smart player. There are times during timeouts where he’ll go out and switch his matchup, thinking that we would go to a certain matchup. It’s almost like a (Tom) Brady, or a (Peyton) Manning, going out there and just reading what you’re doing.”

But collectively, Cleveland is not a good defensive team, which the Pacers hope to exploit. Cleveland surrendered 109.9 points per game, ranked 26th in the 30-team NBA. The Pacers will look to run against the Cavaliers, to create easy baskets in transition. When they can’t run, the Pacers will look to move the ball quickly. The more passes they make, the more likely Cleveland’s defense is to break down.

The Cavaliers made wholesale changes at the trade deadline, knowing they weren’t good enough to win an NBA title. But are the new-look Cavaliers good enough, featuring midseason acquisitions such as guard Jordan Clarkson, forward Larry Nance Jr., guard George Hill and guard Rodney Hood? Nance and Clarkson have never been in the playoffs before. The Cavaliers only won two more games (50) in the regular season than the Pacers.

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Former Indiana Hoosier teammates Victor Oladipo and Cody Zeller share a laugh following their game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Tuesday, April 10, 2018. Both players had the night off. Oladipo now with the Indiana Pacers an Zeller with the Charlotte Hornets. The Charlotte Hornets defeated the Indiana Pacers 119-93. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Indiana Pacers guard Darren Collison (2) drives by Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) in the second half of their game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Tuesday, April 10, 2018. The Charlotte Hornets defeated the Indiana Pacers 119-93. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Indiana Pacers guard Glenn Robinson III (40) has his shot blocks by Charlotte Hornets guard Julyan Stone (32) in the first half of their game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Tuesday, April 10, 2018. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Indiana Pacers forward T.J. Leaf (22) is fouled by Charlotte Hornets forward Marvin Williams (2) in the second half of their game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Tuesday, April 10, 2018. The Charlotte Hornets defeated the Indiana Pacers 119-93. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Indiana Pacers guard Lance Stephenson (1) drives by Charlotte Hornets guard Julyan Stone (32) in the first half of their game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Tuesday, April 10, 2018. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Indiana Pacers center Domantas Sabonis (11) spins to the basket on Charlotte Hornets forward Frank Kaminsky (44) in the second half of their game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Tuesday, April 10, 2018. The Charlotte Hornets defeated the Indiana Pacers 119-93. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Indiana Pacers center Al Jefferson (25) shoots over Charlotte Hornets center Willy Hernangomez (41) in the second half of their game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Tuesday, April 10, 2018. The Charlotte Hornets defeated the Indiana Pacers 119-93. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) defends the shot by Charlotte Hornets center Dwight Howard (12) in the first half of their game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Tuesday, April 10, 2018. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Indiana Pacers guard Darren Collison (2) shoots a three-pinter over Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) in the first half of their game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Tuesday, April 10, 2018. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Indiana Pacers forward Alex Poythress (0) drives on Charlotte Hornets forward Frank Kaminsky (44) in the second half of their game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Tuesday, April 10, 2018. The Charlotte Hornets defeated the Indiana Pacers 119-93. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Indiana Pacers forward Trevor Booker (20) shoots over Charlotte Hornets center Willy Hernangomez (41) in the second half of their game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Tuesday, April 10, 2018. The Charlotte Hornets defeated the Indiana Pacers 119-93. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Indiana Pacers guard Glenn Robinson III (40) goes up against Charlotte Hornets forward Frank Kaminsky (44) in the first half of their game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Tuesday, April 10, 2018. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Charlotte Hornets center Dwight Howard (12) drives in on Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) in the second half of their game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Tuesday, April 10, 2018. The Charlotte Hornets defeated the Indiana Pacers 119-93. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Indiana Pacers guard Lance Stephenson (1) eyes a teammate to pass to as Charlotte Hornets center Dwight Howard (12) defends in the second half of their game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Tuesday, April 10, 2018. The Charlotte Hornets defeated the Indiana Pacers 119-93. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Indiana Pacers guard Darren Collison (2) drives around Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) in the second half of their game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Tuesday, April 10, 2018. The Charlotte Hornets defeated the Indiana Pacers 119-93. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) attempts to drives on Charlotte Hornets forward Marvin Williams (2) in the first half of their game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Tuesday, April 10, 2018. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Indiana Pacers center Domantas Sabonis (11) shoots over Charlotte Hornets guard Julyan Stone (32) in the first half of their game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Tuesday, April 10, 2018. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Indiana Pacers center Al Jefferson (25) drives by Charlotte Hornets center Willy Hernangomez (41) in the first half of their game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Tuesday, April 10, 2018. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Indiana Pacers center Domantas Sabonis (11) defends Charlotte Hornets forward Frank Kaminsky (44) in the first half of their game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Tuesday, April 10, 2018. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Former Indiana Hoosier teammates Victor Oladipo and Cody Zeller share a laugh following their game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Tuesday, April 10, 2018. Both players had the night off. Oladipo now with the Indiana Pacers an Zeller with the Charlotte Hornets. The Charlotte Hornets defeated the Indiana Pacers 119-93. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Yet, the nation views the Pacers as substantial underdogs. Many NBA fans around the country have hardly seen the Pacers, unless they have NBA League Pass. James is the star of this series. The Pacers are the extras. The Cavaliers were on national television 39 times this season. The Pacers were on national television once, against the Thunder. The main storyline of that game was not even about the Pacers. It was about Paul George’s return to Indiana.

If the Pacers were facing a different opponent, Thomas would lean toward picking them. But he wouldn’t go against James. As much as he loves Oladipo, Thomas likes the Cavaliers to beat the Pacers.

“Philly and Cleveland right now, are the two teams in my opinion that are really peaking at the right time, said Thomas. “I never thought LeBron James could take it to another level at (age) 33. Clearly, he has taken it to another level, which is scary within itself.”

But Thomas says he respects the Pacers and gives them a puncher’s chance.

“They’ve been underestimated all year,” said Thomas. “They knew something about themselves that none of us knew. You got to give (Pacers president) Kevin Pritchard a standing ovation. When the trade was made (Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis for George), it was like — Ok, this is going to be a five-to-seven-year rebuild. Pritchard’s understanding and evaluation of talent has allowed them to play above expectations. They understood what they had. None of us understood, or believed. Going into the playoffs, people still don’t know, or understand, how good this team is.’’

Young was one of six Pacers who went to Pritchard before the trade deadline, asking him to keep this team intact. Pritchard obliged, but it’s not a lifetime promise. Many offseason decisions the Pacers make will be based on what happens during the playoffs. Oladipo, Myles Turner, and Sabonis are the key pieces the Pacers plan to build around, regardless of what happens. But how differently will the Pacers view someone like Bogdanovic, if he shoots 35 for 50 in this series, or if he shoots 10 for 50? Many other Pacers are in the same boat. They proved themselves during the regular season. Now this team must prove itself all over again.

“You took the words out of my mouth,” said McMillan on Thursday. “That’s what I told them this morning. This is a new season, but it’s the same conversations. We have an opportunity, again, to prove ourselves, step up to this challenge, and see where we are. We’re going against LeBron and Cleveland, a guy who’s been in the finals. Nobody is giving us a chance. So the conversation is very similar. There’s no need in talking about it. Just go play, and hopefully our play can go speak for us. I’m anxious to see how we handle this.”

McMillan will start getting answers Sunday. But for the next week or two, he won’t be getting much sleep.

Indiana Pacers' Thaddeus Young (21) drives against Charlotte Hornets' Dwight Howard (12) and Kemba Walker during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, April 8, 2018. Chuck Burton, AP

Charlotte Hornets' Kemba Walker (15) is fouled as he drives past Indiana Pacers' Myles Turner during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, April 8, 2018. Chuck Burton, AP